duxthe1, pretty much listed everything I would tell you.

In my opinion,,,even if you get one of these things given to you for free,,,,,you are still getting screwed.

Back when they were new,,,,we used to have a nickname for the Mls.
Guys in the biz called them "job security".

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Alain
independant MBZ tech since 1981
http://www.motorsportlegendsks.com/

Don't listen to the naysayers that have never owned one. They are as good if not better than the e430 of that era. They don't rust out like the 210. Driven ones with 200k on original suspension and they drive like new. Interior quality and switches are the let down. Otherwise solid, dependable vehicles.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Tyler, I gotta disagree with you on this one.

The list of things that plague the ML430 is about mile longer than the possibly 3-4 things on a 210 chassis E430.

the only thing I can say good about an ML430 is that the engine itself will be reliable.

The other thing to consider is parts prices on the 163 chassis ML for routine items such as brake pads, discs, cost more than on a 210 chassis car.

As far as not owning one,,,,you are right,,,, I don't and never will own an ML,,,,because I have to work on them every day. I have had many 210 chassis cars though.

If someone really "needs" and SUV, there are sooo many better choices than an ML.

Just my opinion,,,,,,but then again,,,I see 99 percent Mercedes every day and they have been "job security" since day one.

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Alain
independant MBZ tech since 1981
http://www.motorsportlegendsks.com/

I'm in the same business as you, just from a different end. I see them at their worst every week. They are much better than a BMW X5 or Toureg, but not a RX300 or Acura MDX.

I see at least 3 163s at auction to 1 210. 3 to 1 ratio. I'm certain they sold alot more of the SUVs than the sedans around here. I think that's why you see more in the shop.

They also don't rust. Its terrible what the 210 and other Mercedes of that era do in harsher climates.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Agreed. Suzuki Samurai and Jeep XJ (Cherokee) come to mind. CJ/YJ/TJ aren't bad either if you don't mind lousy fuel economy. If you need something bigger and don't mind really bad fuel economy, a former employer of mine got good hard use service out of several Suburbans.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Alrighty then. I have already forgotten about it. There's another model I want to post about, but I'm going to have to swing by and look at it first.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting